You may recall my first post on career design: why three jobs are better than one. I meant every word I said when I wrote that post. But I have a problem: one of these jobs makes me much happier than the others.

It’s blogging. I can hardly fall asleep at night because I’m so excited about the opportunities that are opening up for me right now. I have lists on multiple scraps of paper of topics I want to write about. My temp link folder in my favorites got so long, I had to create another folder. And then I get such lovely fan mail, it kick-starts the insomnia cycle all over again.

It started to get to the point where I got a tiny bit resentful whenever I had to do my paid work. I realized my mind, and more importantly my heart, were elsewhere. So I made the difficult decision to wrap up the projects I’m working on and leave my consulting job at the end of January.

Scary? You bet. We still haven’t sold our house in Ohio and the real estate news isn’t pretty. Sad? In a sense, yes. The people I worked with are truly some of the most innovative and exciting thought leaders I have ever come across in the field of science. They are changing the world and it was heady and gratifying to work with them.

They also completely understood when I told them the news. They were happy for me. And I was happy, because I could say I was living the advice I would have given my readers. Although my crystal ball is still on the fritz, I’m pretty sure the future of Everyday Bright looks bright indeed.

What that means for you

Now that my blog can take front and center on my priority list, I’m celebrating with some new and exciting ventures. Here they are.

1. A new look

I’m working with the amazing Lindsey Donner from Well Versed Creative to bring a new look to Everyday Bright. Not that I didn’t like the old look, but some of the features didn’t meet my needs. The site will retain its positive and cheerful vibe, but it will have a lot more polish. If all goes well, we’ll be rolling out the new design in a few weeks.

I’ll also be bringing more multi-media features to the blog, starting with a wonderfully philosophical interview on career design with Sonia Simone. Think she’s just an awesome writer with pretty pink hair? Think again. This woman has ideas you’ll want to hear for yourself.

2. Special deals for regular readers

I love my readers. You provide insights and a sense of community that far surpasses anything I imagined when I started blogging.

And I want to say thanks. But right now, I don’t have a good way of doing that.

So I will be offering a newsletter that will deliver blog posts whenever they go live, but also exclusive deals and behind-the-scenes insights. You’ll get input into new products way before they see the light of day, as well as discounts on products from other bloggers and merchants whenever I can secure them.

To kick things off, I want to offer a free product of my own that is available to you as soon as you sign up. This is something I won’t be offering anywhere else and it’s important to me it has the potential to truly impact your life. No wishy-washy thank you’s here! So give me some feedback. What would you be really excited to receive? And if nothing here makes you want to do jumping jacks or have my new logo tattooed on your arm, leave a comment and let me know what would (okay, the tattoo thing isn’t necessary).

3. Course in career design

Many of you have asked me for a course that ties together my ideas on career design into something more actionable. I just haven’t had the time to undertake such a big project. Luckily, I didn’t have to.

I’m delighted to announce I will be partnering as an affiliate with Barrie Davenport on her new course Discover Your Passion: A Step-by-Step Course for Creating the Life of Your Dreams. The courseis really impressive. Here’s the testimonial I offered Barrie, which I think says a lot about my opinion of what she’s put together:

Want to wake up every day bursting with excitement for the day ahead? Want to make your work a central and energizing part of your life? For less than the price of a month’s worth of groceries, you can finally infuse your life with the meaning and passion it’s been missing. Barrie Davenport has tackled the biggest obstacles to career design, providing structure and encouragement as you zero in on what will fulfill you. Most people avoid this essential work because it feels overwhelming and scary. This course not only helps you conquer those inner demons, it delivers the answers that have previously eluded you. As Robert Anthony said, “Most people would rather be certain they’re miserable than risk being happy.” There’s only one way to prove him wrong. Take this course.

The course hasn’t launched yet. I’ll be devoting an entire post to what’s in the course and why I think it will be helpful to my readers. I’ll also be throwing in a free 30-minute “2nd opinion” consult on your results for anyone who signs up for the course through Everyday Bright. More information on that to come.

4. Life mentoring

In my Life Lessons post, I encouraged people to find a life mentor. Someone who could look at the big picture of your life and help you through times of change. Someone who’s specialty is breadth, not necessarily depth. Someone who can look at your strengths and weakness, dreams and fears, and make something whole out of it. And I realized that I actually am well suited to do that kind of mentoring. It’s why I started this site, after all.

But I’ve been reluctant to offer consulting services for a couple of reasons. First, I started this blog to become a writer, not a life coach. I am seriously protective of my writing time. I feel like I waited 20 years to become a (near) full-time writer and I’m not about to give up now!

When I started coaching cli­ents, many of them were so new they didn’t know what they wanted to do to achieve their ideal lifestyles. Some of them had serious personal issues to deal with. Some of those coaching calls turned a little closer to therapy sessions than I was comfortable with.

So I’m putting together some material that will lay the ground rules and provide some structure for this kind of service. It’s going to take me a little time to create it, but I think it will make the experience more positive for everyone. Stay tuned.

One more thank you

I just want to say thanks, as many times as you’ll let me, for making this career leap so rewarding. I don’t know that I ever intended on becoming a “professional blogger,” however you define that term. I only know I wake up every day, bursting with excitement at what’s ahead. My blog is a central and energizing part of my life. Career design isn’t a fantasy. I’m successfully on the other side–and loving it. And I owe it all to you.

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38 Responses to The Future Looks Bright

Congratulations for taking this fabulous leap! Look at how happy you already are once you’ve made this decision. I can feel the relief it gave and see what you see: How bright your future–your NOW–really is.

Thanks, Becky. It is a huge relief, which is what told me I was making the right decision. I was more worried about how my colleagues would take the news. I respect them so much. So when they responded with generosity and genuine happiness for my success, well, that was pretty close to euphoria. Thanks for all your support and encouragement–can’t tell you how much it means to me.

It took me nearaly a year to get to this point. I’m glad I took it slow and tried things out. Now I feel very confident about my decision, which makes the salary loss (for now) easier to bear. Happy to talk about it with you any time…drop me a line!

So much excitement bursting from this post – and since I heard your voice yesterday, I heard you saying these words in your voice. They sounded so happy. Your decision, of which I am envious – and about which I am torn in my own life, is so right for you, Jen. This is your time and we are here to support and watch you make this an amazing space for many people to enjoy. Congratulations on the upcoming changes!!

I didn’t realize you were struggling with this kind of decision yourself, Farnoosh. We’ll have to talk about that next time we’re on Skype. In any event, I’m grateful for the amazing support you and others are providing. Everyone should have a cheering section like this when they do big life changes!

Yes, that’s it, isn’t it? Every time you see someone safely land on the other side, it makes it that much easier for you yourself to leap. I know you can do it, Farnoosh. You are an amazing woman with many talents. That chasm gets smaller when you don’t stare at it so hard.

Jen, thank you for the mention — and for being so honest about your motives. I think that your warmth and authenticity are a large part of why your readers love you as much as they do. I’m just happy to be a part of this in some small way!

Plus, I can’t think of any more exciting way to usher in the new additions to Everday Bright than by taking your readers on the trip with you (and giving them a voice in the process). Congratulations!

Congratulations Jennifer! That is wonderful news. You are truly following your passion. Thank you so much for including info about our partnership on the Discover Your Passion course. When you launch your new look for your blog, I would be delighted to offer two copies of the Discover Your Passion course for you to give away to your readers in a contest or some other event of your choosing!

Oh Jen, this is so perfect for you! I wish you nothing but huge success as you venture forward and embrace your passion. It’s funny how you just know when it’s right, and I’m sure this is right for you.
I enjoyed writing, but never realized how much I really love it until I started blogging. A lot of the credit goes to the amazing people I’ve discovered in the blogosphere, like you! If there’s anything I can do to help you, don’t hesitate to ask.
b

I know what you mean. I’ve been a poet for nearly 30 years, but I don’t think it ever quite ignited me the way blogging has. And I think it’s largely due to the isolation that accompanies traditional writing. As successful as I was as a poet, I think I only ever heard from a dozen or so people. Wild, isn’t it? And then blogging doesn’t just bring fans, but friends (like you). And that offer for help is mutual. Thanks!

What an exciting event. It is not often heard of when someone is able to follow their dreams. I applaud you for taking that jump. I am hoping to gain some strength and hope to one day do the same thing. I am new to the whole blogging thing, but hope to eventually make the passionate jump myself. May you have all the success in the world, and I look forward to joining the mailing list and following you

That’s what this blog is all about–giving people like you the confidence to leap. So please, come back often. Sometimes you just need to hear a message a few times before you can believe it for yourself. I know I benefited a lot from folks like Tim Ferriss, Corbett Barr, Penelope Trunk and others. And if there’s anything I can do to help you personally, just ask!

Thanks, my friend. You know what this means to me and truly what a long journey it’s been to get here. Sometimes it just seems laugh out loud funny I got a PhD in science. But no regrets. After all, that’s how I met YOU! (hugs)

Wow, congratulations! For whatever its worth, I’d like to let know that this blog is by far the first that I can relate to in a personal way. My work involves reading hundreds of blogs from various niches. After doing it for 4 years, I know which ones are worth my while. I will definitely keep coming back here. Looking forward to learning more from you

Deetsie,
What a lovely compliment. Thank you! I’m impressed you can keep up with hundreds of blogs and still write one of your own. You are a better woman than I! Look forward to getting to you and helping you however I can. Nice to “meet” you!

I was lurking at BrazenCareerist and saw you posting some interesting comments so I thought I’d hop on your blog and I was glad I did. Well, how I start? You sure an amazing courageous woman with lots of optimism in life! I look forward for the changes not only in your career but more improvements in your blog because just like change, there’s always room for improvements. Thanks for sharing your journey with the world, keep inspiring others and being a blessing to all the lives you’re in contact with.

Jonha,
I love connecting with fellow Brazen members, so a special welcome to you! I am indeed an optimist by heart and enjoy sharing my vision for a better life. You’re right–there’s always room for improvement, as long as we appreciate who we are and what we have at the same time. Bit of a balancing act really.

Jen, What exciting news! Since you have just been mentoring and encouraging me through my decision to retire and move to the next stage of my life, I am quite certain you will have huge success in this next stage of your life. As noted by others, I too can hear the excitement in your words. I am very excited and happy for you. I know everyone is wishing the very best for you.

Congratulations on taking the leap! Awesome! And, once again, you are helping to keep my own inspirational embers lit … sometimes it feels like they’re mostly out. It’s really great to see someone’s progress as a way to remember that time is a factor in transition and change! Best to you!

Deb,
I totally understand. It’s so frustrating when you have to wait for what you want. But seriously, take a hard look at how long a period that really needs to be. I planned to do my consulting work for at least a year, because we suspected it would take that long to sell our house. Ultimately I realized the two weren’t as intimately connected as I led myself to believe, and that allowed me to accelerate the timeline. Let me know if you need an outsider to bounce your ideas off of.

Having decided to completely overhaul my life in the pursuit of happiness, there were certainly those who wondered, "What was she thinking?" Follow this blog to find out– and learn how to shine with me!